Jianshui Tofu, also known as Lin'an Tofu, is a spicy, barbecued form of tofu that is a famous traditional specialty in Jianshui County, Yunnan Province. Tofu is a signature attraction of Jianshui.
Jianshui is well known for its tofu, its special variation of roast bean curd. Tofu from Jianshui is unique because of the county's other famous attraction, its historic water wells. Throughout the town's back alleys are ancient wells of various shapes and sizes. They are constantly replenished from the fresh water from underground that has been used daily by the people of Jianshui since ancient times.
The different wells produce water of different qualities, and each well is preferred for different purposes. The West well is used for drinking. The water from the Dongjing well is said to be sweeter, so it is preferred for brewing tea. It's the Ximen Daban well that's favored for making tofu. The water is an important part of the process because it's used to soak the soy beans in the very first step of the process. The water from the Ximen well is known to make the tofu tender and tasty, and to give it the flavor that is unique to Jianshui.
Tofu is made from soybeans in a lengthy process. After the soy beans are ground and the soy milk is extracted, it's boiled in a big vat and mixed with gypsum to coagulate the mixture. The hot curds are drained. The women who are creating the tofu then scoop balls of tofu into a square of cheese cloth, squeeze out excess water and lay them out into rows. Then the squares are unwrapped, partially dried and then transferred to crates to be transported to restaurants.
Jianshui's most popular style of tofu is fermented and dried and placed on a grill, where it puffs up and becomes light and crunchy. It has a cheesy flavor, but does not have the pungent intensity of what is known as "stinky tofu."
Jianshui locals believe that the good taste of the tofu is mainly attributable to the water from the ancient wells of Xijie old town in Jianshui. Whatever it is, there is nothing to compare to the tofu of Jianshui.
Jian Shui County, Honghe, Yunnan Province
Here are some of the places to sample Jianshui spicy barbecued tofu.
1.JianShui Zengji Old-Well Tofu Workshop（建水曾记板井豆腐坊）
Address: No. 26 Xizheng Street, Jianshui County, Honghe, Yunnan Province.（云南省红河建水县西正街26号）
2. Jianshui Puji Tofu（建水普记烧豆腐）
Address: Rixin Middle Road, Xishan District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province.（云南省昆明市西山区日新中路）
3. Heng Xiang Yo Fat Wife 18 Taste Baked Potato（亨想哟胖媳妇十八味烧土豆）
Address: No.2-2, 1/F, Building 1, Yard 32, Luofeng Street, Kunming City, Yunnan Province. (云南省昆明市螺峰街32号院1号楼一层临街2号附2号)
